This is my last post in my mini-series of “How to Use..” different aromatherapy products. In this mini-series, I have covered how to use an aromatherapy sugar scrub, how to use an aromatherapy body butter and how to use an aromatherapy perfume spritzer. I have perhaps left the simpliest aromatherapy product until last, and it might seem obvious how to use an aromatherapy massage oil, but there are in fact a couple of uses for an aromatherapy massage blend of essential oils.
What is an Aromatherapy Massage Oil?
An aromatherapy massage oil, in its simpliest form, is a blend of a vegetable oil and an essential oil. The vegetable oil acts as a “carrier” for the essential oil/s. Vegetable oils for therapeutic aromatherapy use include sunflower, jojoba, sweet almond oil and apricot kernel oil. There are many different types of vegetable oils available to make a massage oil with.
The massage oil base is combined with one or more essential oils – depending upon the purpose of the blend.
Tips for Using an Aromatherapy Massage Oil
An aromatherapy massage oil is frequently used in massage. A qualified aromatherapist assesses the needs of the client and blends together a combination of appropriate vegetable oil/s and essential oil/s for a therapeutic aromatherapy massage.
However, you can also use an aromatherapy massage oil to help with problems such as headaches, arthritis, stress, asthma and much, much more. Again, a qualified aromatherapist is able to assess a client’s individual problems and mix together an appropriate aromatherapy blend. The blend doesn’t have to be used in massage; the client can simply massage an appropriate amount of oil onto the affected area of their body (in the appropiate way) in the comfort of their own home; for example, massaging the temples may help with headaches.
You should only use vegetable oils that are suitable for therapeutic aromatherapy purposes in a massage oil; don’t use the same vegetable oils in your kitchen cupboard that you use for cooking as these oils are often highly refined and don’t contain the same therapeutic properties as those processed for aromatherapy purposes. In addition, make sure that you use true essential oils in your blend and not a fragrance oil (which doesn’t contain any therapeutic properties).
Blending the “perfect” massage oil for a particular problem takes practice, experience and training, despite its simplistic base formula. If you want to learn more about the true practice of aromatherapy (and making simple aromatherapy products for therapeutic practice) watch out for the Sedona Aromatherapie Foundation Course in Aromatherapyscheduled for a late Spring 2012 release date!
In the meantime, checkout the Sedona Aromatherapie Make-Your-Own Products Kits in the webstore, a simple introduction to basic aromatherapy product making.
